In post-Franco Spain, a woman is hard-pressed to figure out what the new rules for women are. In this melodrama based on the novel by Almudena Grandes, Malena (newcomer Adriana Gil) explores life and relationships in the ever-changing world she finds herself in. Complicating matters for Malena is the example of her older sister, Reina, who is impeccably well-behaved. What's a girl to do except seek solace in the arms of as many men as possible? As she stumbles from catastrophe to catastrophe, Malena becomes her family's poster-child for what not to do with one's life.

单身汉安东尼失业已经十个月了，偏偏在他最困难的时候，女友又选择离开他，和别的男人远走高飞。情绪低落的安东尼在街上无意中拣到一个女婴。“小可爱”的突然到来使安东尼平静的生活变得杂乱无章，但同时也给他一成不变的生活带来了些许乐趣。可惜一切好景不长，住在同一幢楼房里的一对有钱夫妇很快得知了安东尼拣到女婴的消息，并打算不计一切代价在最短的时间内收养“小可爱”。 安东尼和他们相比没有任何优势可以留住“小可爱”。没钱没势的他很快失去了“小可爱”的监护权。也许在这一切不幸当中的唯一幸事就是他结实了美丽善良的社会福利机构负责人安娜，她负责“小可爱”的收养手续。他们在频繁地接触中，相互产生了好感。可惜这段还处在萌芽中的爱情被安东尼前女友的归来破坏了…

两个对立的 "姐夫 "打赌，他们能在两周内戒烟。但是，事情没那么简单.....